Stamp device for writing instruments



J. D. PETERS STAMPDEVICE FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS 1 Filed Sept. 16. 1966l April 15, 1969 Sheet .1h 1 E E S w w. d*

April 15, 1969 1. D. PETERS STAMP DEVICE FOR WRITING INSTRUMENTS /l/wroef cx Az// PETERS Filedv Sept. 16. 1966` E @y f April 15, 1969 J. D. PETERS 3,438,716

sTAMP DEVICE Foa WRITING `msmwwums Filed sept. 16, 196e` v `smet 3 of s INVENTOR.

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United States Patent O U.S. Cl. 401--195 5 Claims ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The de-vice of the invention is an improved combination of inking pad and stamp embodied in an elongate body particularly a writing instrument such as a pen. The device features a receptacle for the inking pad which is constructed with means in the form of an extension so that the receptacle can be attached to or secured to the body of a pen, that is, a conventional pen, not originally constructed to be provided with an inking pad and stamp. The combination is further constructed so that operating means for the pen tip operable from the other end of the instrument extends laterally Within the body of the instrument past the inking pad receptacle.

The present invention relates generally to improvements in stamping or printing devices adapted for embodiment in elongate bodies, instruments, tools, and the like, and more particularly, to a writing instrument having an inking stamp and pad house therein in a manner whereby the Stamp can be easily removed and used Without interfering with the writing capabilities of the instrument. The embodiment of the invention in a Writing instrument is an exemplary form thereof which will be disclosed in detail herein.

An object of the present invention is to provide an inking stamp and pad which can be stored within an elongated body, such as the body of a writing instrument.

An additional object is to provide a writing instrument having a body with an integrally formed receptacle for an inking stamp and lpad enclosable by a cap.

Another object is to provide an instrument as in the preceding object wherein the Writing instrument has a tip and operating means therefor positioned to be actuatable with the cap in position.

A further object is to provide an instrument as in the preceding object wherein the operating means for the tip are displaced laterally of the receptacle and extend through an end opening in the cap.

A further object is to provide an inking stamp and pad storable within the body of a writing instrument or the like having the capability of removability of the inking pad Without rendering the writing instrument inoperable while the stamp is so removed.

Still a further object is to provide an inking stamp retainable within receptacle of a writing instrument body independent of the closure cap.

A still further object is to provide an inking stamp retainable within a receptacle of a writing instrument body independent of the orientation of the instrument.

A further object is to provide a receptacle, stamp pad, and stamp provided as a unit, and adapted for use in conventional writing instruments having hollow bodies and end caps.

According to the present invention, one embodiment of the stamping device generally comprises a receptacle formed in the tubular body of a pen by a rectangular base aligned parallel to the axis of the pen and by the arcuate portions of the pen body at each end of the receptacle base. An inverted L tab is afiixed to each longitudinal side of the receptacle base to serve as retention means and an absorbent resilient material, such as felt,

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is afiixed to the exposed surface of the receptacle base to serve as an ink reservoir. A stamp member having a complementary rectangular base, with resilient material with characters formed therein, is affixed to one surface of the stamp base. It has notches formed in longitudinal sides of the stamp base complementary to the retaining tabs of the receptacle base, and is removably engageable with the receptacle base by first aligning the notches and tabs, and manipulating the stamp member so as to position a portion of the stamp base beneath the tabs of the receptacle base. The stamp member is so retained independent of the pen orientation. Removal of the stamp member is accomplished by a similar manipulation.

In a preferred embodiment, the tubular cap enclosure of the pen is used as a handle means for the stamp member by providing an upstanding tab on the stamp member adapted to frictionally engage the inner surface of the cap member, thereby facilitating the insertion and removal of the stamp member into and out of the receptacle portion of the pen body, as well as to facilitate the use of the stamp member for marking purposes.

In a modified form of the device, the upstanding retaining tabs are afiixed to each end of the receptacle base, said tabs having a T cross-section shape and are aligned generally with the centerline of the receptacle base. The notches in the stamp base, formed in the ends of said stamp base, are adapted to complement the receptacle base tabs. The stamp member may be removably engaged in the receptacle by first aligning the notches and tabs, then compressing the stamp member against the receptacle base, then rotating the stamp member so as to position a portion of the stamp base beneath the upper portion of the T tabs, and finally, releasing the compressive forces which will cause the stamp base to be urged into compressive engagement with said tabs by the resilient forces of the materials affixed to said receptacle base and said stamp base.

In a further modified form of the invention, as described in detail hereinafter, the receptacle, stamp, and pad are formed as an adaptor unit for use with conventional commercially available Writing instruments.

The present invention, both as to its organization and the manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken. in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters refer to like elements in the several views.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a writing instrument having a removable telescoping cap in place;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational, sectional view of a pen and stamp combination device construction;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view similar to FIGURE l, showing the pen body, enclosure cap and stamp in separated relation;

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of the stamp member and enclosure cap, partly in section, taken substantially along line 4-4 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5 5 of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 6 is -a fragmentary perspective view of the stamp member and enclosure cap showing the enclosure cap in engagement with the stamp member;

FIGURE 7 is an elevational View, partly in section, of a second embodiment of the stamp and pen combination;

FIGURE -8 is a fragmentary perspective view of the receptacle portion of the second embodiment;

FIGURE 9 is a fragmentary view of the stamp member and enclosure cap showing the enclosure cap in engagement with the stamp member;

FIGURE lO is a sectional view taken substantially along line 10-10 of FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 11 is a perspective view of a lmodified form of the invention.

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, FIGURE 1 illustrates a retractable ball point pen having a pen body 10, and a removably engageable telescoping enclosure cap 12. The pen body I and enclosure cap 12 is preferably of a diameter `which enables the instrument to be easily and comfortably held within the hand and fingers of the person using it, and may be formed of a suitable material, such as metal or plastic. The enclosure cap frictionally engages the pen body.

As illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, the pen body 10 has an aperture 21 formed therein at one end adapted for extending therethrough the writing tip 17 of an inking tube 14. The inking tube 14 is mounted within the pen body and is maintained in retractable `urgement by spring 15 engaging tabs 16 affixed to the inking tube 14. The pen body 10 has a second aperture 21 at the upper end of said body adapted to receive a plunger which actuates a retraction unit 19 which is connected to the inking tube 14 by transmitting rod 18 adapted to transmit axial compressive forces from the retraction unit 19 to the inking tube 14 and thereby expose tip 17 for writing purposes.

Mounted within the pen body 10` is a stamp member 28 adapted to be removably engaged in a receptacle portion 23 of said pen body 10. The receptacle portion 23 is comprised of a rectangular receptacle base 24 lying in a plane parallel to the diameter of the tubular pen body 10, said rectangular receptacle base 24 having its longitudinal sides attached to or integrally formed with the tubular walls of the pen body 10. The receptacle base 24 has affixed to its longitudinal edges opposing intermediate tabs 26, said tabs having an inverted L cross-section with the anged portion inwardly facing. Attached to the exposed surface of the receptacle base 24 is a pad 25 consisting of a material which is both resilient and absorbent, such as felt or like material. The pad 25 will serve in part as a reservoir for ink.

As further shown in FIGURES l and 2, and additionally in FIGURE 5, the stamp member 28 has a stamp base 29 of rectangular shape and substantially complementary to the receptacle base 24. Resilient material 32, such as rubber, is attached to the stamp base 29 and has formed therein informational characters 33. Each longitudinal side of the stamp base 29 has an intermediately positioned slot 31 formed therein which is adapted to receive the tabs 26 of the receptacle base 24.

In FIGURES 3, 4 and 6, the enclosure cap 12 is adapted to engage the stamp member 28 thereby facilitating the insertion and removal of the stamp member 28 into and out of the receptacle 23, as well as facilitating the operation of impressing the inked characters 33 onto paper or like material for imprinting purposes. Upstanding tab is attached to the stamp base 29 and is adapted to receive in frictional engagement the inner wall of the enclosure cap 12.

'In the operation of the instant pen and stamp combination device, as shown in FIGURE 3, the compressive material 32 of stamp member 28 is placed into opposing cornpressive contact with the resilient material 25 of the receptacle 23 and having the slots of stamp base 28 aligned with and receiving tabs 26 of receptacle 23, so -that the inwardly facing flanges of said tabs 26 are above the upper surface of stamp base 2S when the stamp member and receptacle member are subjected to compressive forces. By manipulation of the stamp member 28, the t-abs 26- can be brought into overlapping relationship with the stamp base 29, so as to place the inwardly-facing flanges of tabs 26 in compressive engagement with the upper surface of the stamp base 29 when the compressive forces are released. It will be readily apparent that the enclosure cap 12 can be disengaged from tab 30 and that stamp member 28 will be retained in receptacle 23 by tabs 26 regardless of the orientation of the pen and will be so retained regardless of whether enclosure cap 12 is telescoped onto the pen body 10. In a similar manner, the stamp member 28 may be removed from receptacle 23 by first placing the enclosure cap 12 into telescoping frictional engagement with tab 30, imposing compressive forces between stamp member 28 and receptacle 23, manipulating stamp member 218 so as to disengage tabs 26 and slots 31, and thereafter using enclosure cap 12 to lift stamp member 28 out of receptacle 23. It `will be readily apparent that the pen will remain operable when the stamp member is so removed in that the stamp member 28 does not form a part of the retraction system.

FIGURE 7 illustrates a modilied form of the pen and stamp combination adapted for use with another style of pen wherein the pen comprises a tubular body 40, a telescoping closure cap 41, and having a plurality of ink tubes 42 containing various colors of ink, said ink tubes 42 being extendable and retractable through aperture 39 by axially moving tabs 44 along the aperture'd slots 43 formed in the body 40* of the pen.

FIGURE 8 illustrates the modified form of the receptacle for the stamp comprising a base 52 having resilient and absorbent material 53 attached thereo. Attached to each end o-f the base 52 is a tab 56 having a T-shaped cross-section.

FIGURE 9 is the modified form of the stamp member 45 having a stamp base 46 with resilient material 47 attached thereto. At each end of the stamp base 46 is a slot 49 formed therein adapted to receive tab 56 lwhen stamp member 45 is inserteid into the receptacle 51.

FIGURE 10 illustrates the stamp member 45 inserted into compressive engagement with the ange portion 59 of tab 56.

It will be readily apparent that stamp member 45 may be inserted into receptacle 51 with slots 49 aligned with the tabs 56; that resilient material 47 of stamp member 45 may be compressed against resilient material 53 of receptacle 5l thereby depressing the stamp base 46 spacially below the flange member 59 of tab 56; that rational forces may be imparted to stamp member 45 so as to place a portion of the stamp base 46 beneath the collar portion 59 of tab 56; and thereafter the compressive forces may be released, permitting the stamp base 46 to be urged into compressive engagement with the flange member 59 of tab 56.

FIGURE ll shows a modified form of the invention.

In this form of the invention it takes the form of an adaptor which constitutes the receptacle for the inking pad and stamp. The adaptor is constructed so that it can be used with virtually :any conventional writing instrument having a tubular body. It could, of course, also be used with implements other than writing instruments.

FIGURE l1 shows a pen body 40, which is like that of FIGURE 7 being a conventional pen having a plurality of ink tubes as in FIGURE 7 containing various colors of ink. All of the ink tubes are extendable and retractable through the aperture 39 by the axially movable tabs 44, which move in the slots as shown at 65. The tabs 44 extend from stems as shown at 66, each having a detent notch as shown at 67. The ends of these stems extend beyond the open end of the tubular part of the body 4t). The cap 41 is conventional. The adaptor containing the receptacle for the ink pad and stamp is shown generally at 70. It comprises a body having circular end pierces 71 and 72 of a size to have the cap 41 t thereover. Extending between, the curvature conforming to that of the end pieces 71 and '72. The part 74 has a at upper surface 75 supporting the pad 77 of resilient material. It yhas inwardly extending tabs 80 and 81 like those of FIGURE 4 cooperable with notches, one of which is shown at 83 in the stamp 84. The stamp 84 has stamp` pad 85 attached thereto, and it cooperates with the adaptor in the same manner as the stamp of FIGURES l to 5. It has a tab 87 on the back which can be engaged by the cap 41 for remioving and using the stamp.

The adaptor is provided with means for adapting it to use with the writing instrument. In the form of the invention shown, this is an exntending piece 90 extending from the end member 72. It is of a size such that it can be frictionally inserted into the end of the barrel of the body 40 :of the pen between the stems 66. This securely holds the adaptor in position and the cap 41 can be telescoped over it in the normaal manner of use of the cap. Other means may be provided for adapting, that is securing,` or attaching the adaptor to the pen body, or otherwise retaining it in position within the writing instrument.

From the foregoing those skilled in the art will observe that the invention as described herein achieves and realizes all of the objects and advantages as set forth in the foregoing, as well as having many additional advantages that are apparent from the detailed description.

The foregoing disclosure is representative of preferred forms of the invention and is to be interpreted in an illustrative rather than in a limiting sense, the invention to be accorded the full scope of the claims appended hereto.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing device comprising an elongate body formed with an elongate receptacle containing an elongate inking pad, and configurated to receive a relatively removable stamp, said body having a configuration adapting it for being removably held .within an elongate hollow cap of a writing instrument telescopically positionable 4over the said body with the stamp held in the receptacle within the elongate hollow cap, the said body being pnovidefd with means whereby it can be held attached to the tubular part of a conventional writing instrument, the body being held thereby when the elongate hollow cap` is removed, the body and stamp forming a unit adaptable for use with commercially available writing instruments having a cylindrical body and hollow elongate cap, the body being provided with an integral extension shaped to rmly t Within an open end part of the hollow tubular part of the writing instrument.

2. A printing device comprising an elongate body formed with an elongate receptacle in a portion therof,

said receptacle opening radially and being adapted to removably receive therein an elongate inking pad and a relatively removable stamp cooperating with said pad, an elongate hollow cap removably telescoped over said body so as to cover the radial opening, said receptacle being formed as an integral part of said body, the said body having a tip part at one end, said body having operating means for the said tip inclu-ding a part at the other end of the body, the operating means being positioned relative to the said body to be operable when the cap is in position in the body, the said operating means for the tip comprising a member extending longitudinally of the body and displaced laterally relative to the said receptacle.

3. A device as in claim 2 wherein said member co-mprises a part extending through an end part of the body and the said cap.

4. A device as in claim 2 wherein said receptacle includes at least one portion positioned to overhang an intermediate portion of said stamp for retention of the stamp.

5. A device as in claim 4 wherein the stamp has a slot cooperating with said overhanging portion.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,624,315 1/1953 Weisser et al. 12042.13 2,783,711 3/1957 Vance 101-333 2,946,311 7/1960 Craig 1Z0-42.4 X 3,020,838 2/1962 Prost 101-333 3,098,467 7/1963 Nagele 1Z0-42.13 X 3,130,712 4/1964 Kahn 1Z0-42.13

ROBERT E. PULFRBY, Primary Examiner. FRED A. WINANS, Assistant Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. lOl-333 

